ACLU advocate calls North Dakota legislation targeting sexually explicit books "government censorship"

(Fargo, ND) -- The North Dakota American Civil Liberties Union is taking a stand against proposed legislation in Bismarck that would ban "sexually explicit books" in the state's public libraries. 

"This is censorship, government censorship, you know a perfect example. This is having the government tell people what they can and cannot have access to in a public library," said ACLU Advocacy Manager Cody Schuler.

Schuler was talking about House Bill 1205, which is supported by House Majority Leader Mike Lefor. Schuler calls the bill "un-American".  Another similar bill, SB 2123, would outlaw selling materials featuring written descriptions of sex in places where children frequent. 

"What we are hoping is that not only do the committees that are hearing these bills that they would put a 'do not pass' on them as they go to the floor but then that the legislature would reject them completely," said Schuler. 
 

Original Air Date: 
Wednesday, January 18, 2023